Care Guide: Sintered Stone Table TopsUpdated 3 hours ago
Caring for your sintered stone table top
Sintered stone is one of the most hardwearing and low-maintenance table top materials available for outdoor furniture. Produced by fusing natural minerals under extreme heat and pressure, the resulting surface is scratch-resistant, heat-resistant, UV stable, frost-resistant, and completely non-porous. With straightforward care it will maintain its appearance indefinitely.
Understanding sintered stone
Sintered stone is created by compacting and fusing raw mineral materials — including clays, feldspars, and silica — under very high temperature and pressure. This process produces an extremely dense, hard surface that replicates the look of natural stone, marble, concrete to a high level of realism, without any of the maintenance requirements of those natural materials.
Because sintered stone is non-porous, it does not absorb liquids, bacteria, or stains. It does not require sealing, treating, or oiling — ever. It is also UV stable, meaning it will not fade or discolour with sun exposure over time, and is fully frost-resistant, making it suitable for year-round outdoor use.
Good to know: Unlike natural stone, sintered stone never needs sealing, oiling, or any specialist treatment to maintain its performance or appearance. Simply keep it clean and it will look as good in ten years as it does today.
Routine cleaning
Clean with warm water and a mild soap solution using a soft cloth or sponge. Wipe across the surface, rinse thoroughly with clean water, and dry with a soft cloth to prevent water spotting. Because the surface is completely non-porous, liquids cannot penetrate — daily cleaning is quick and requires very little effort.
We recommend spraying any cleaning product onto a cloth first rather than directly onto the table surface.
Important: Do not use abrasive cloths, scourers, or abrasive powder cleaners on sintered stone. Although the surface is very hard, abrasive products can leave fine surface marks that dull the finish over time. Always use soft cloths or sponges only.
Stubborn marks and staining
For more stubborn marks such as dried food, coffee, or general outdoor grime, a non-abrasive stone cleaner or a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water is effective. Apply with a soft cloth, leave for a few minutes to lift the mark, then wipe clean and rinse thoroughly.
For very stubborn residue such as dried adhesive, paint splashes, or similar substances, a plastic scraper can be used very carefully to lift the material from the surface. Never use metal scrapers, knives, or any metallic tool on sintered stone — even a very hard surface can be scratched by sharp metal edges.
Important: Do not use strong acidic cleaners such as undiluted limescale removers, hydrochloric acid, or citric acid-based products directly on sintered stone. Prolonged contact with strong acids can etch the surface finish. A diluted white vinegar solution is safe and effective for limescale — use this rather than proprietary limescale removers.
Heat resistance
Sintered stone has excellent heat resistance and will not be damaged by hot plates, serving dishes, or cups placed directly on the surface in normal everyday use. Unlike natural stone, it will not crack or discolour from the heat of food and drink in normal circumstances. That said, using trivets remains good practice as an extra precaution — particularly when placing cast iron cookware, very hot barbecue dishes, or items that have been in a very high-temperature oven directly onto the surface.
Scratch resistance
Sintered stone is highly scratch-resistant in everyday use — cutlery, ceramics, and glassware used normally will not mark the surface. However, very hard, sharp objects such as knives, metal tools, or grit dragged across the surface under pressure can potentially leave marks. Always use placemats and coasters as a precaution, and avoid dragging heavy or rough-edged items across the surface.
Impact resistance and edge care
While sintered stone is extremely hard, it is also relatively brittle — a characteristic shared with all dense stone and glass-ceramic materials. The surface itself is highly resistant to everyday impacts, but a sharp, heavy blow — particularly to the edge or corner of the panel — can cause chipping or cracking. Handle with care when repositioning and avoid knocking the edges against hard surfaces.
Important: If a sintered stone table top becomes chipped or cracked, stop using the table immediately. A chipped or cracked surface is significantly weakened and the damage will worsen with continued use. Contact our customer care team for replacement options for your specific table.
Placemats and coasters
We always recommend using placemats and coasters on sintered stone table tops as a matter of good practice. While the surface is extremely durable, placemats protect against heat from very hot dishes, and coasters prevent condensation rings from glasses. Remove placemats and coasters when the table is not in use to prevent any moisture or debris from becoming trapped underneath.
Frost and UV resistance
Sintered stone is fully frost-resistant and UV stable — it requires no additional protection, sealing, or treatment to perform outdoors year-round. Covering the table during winter is still advisable to reduce cleaning at the start of the next season and to protect against debris, but the stone itself will not be affected by frost, ice, or sun exposure.
Winter storage
Sintered stone table tops can remain outdoors over winter without any risk to the material itself. However, we recommend fitting a quality furniture cover over the table during the winter months to keep it clean and protected from wind-blown debris.
What to avoid
Seasonal maintenance checklist
Sintered stone requires very little seasonal maintenance. Work through this brief checklist at the start of each season.
- Clean the surface with warm soapy water and dry with a soft cloth to remove any winter grime
- Treat any limescale or mineral deposits with a diluted white vinegar solution
- Inspect the surface and edges for any chips, cracks, or damage — replace if any are found
- Check that the table top sits securely on its frame supports with no movement or rocking
- Ensure placemats, coasters, and trivets are to hand for the season ahead